Commissioners receive FY26 budget drafts: general fund draft 3, transit, airport and golf course overviews

County finance staff brought forward Draft 3 of the FY26 proposed general fund budget and department directors presented proposed budgets for transit, the golf course and the airport.

Kelsey Mace, chief financial officer, and the budget director presented Draft 3 of the FY26 general fund budget. The only change from Draft 2 was an increase of $276,710 in personnel and operations to add a fourth voting site in the Board of Elections budget. To offset that, staff reduced planned transfers to the capital reserve and general operations; Draft 3 remained balanced at $326,800,000. Staff told commissioners they would reassess and present additional updates after the state—s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Action (BRFAA) text is finalized, with a revised balance to be presented April 29.

Transit director Sean Harbaugh and Public Works Director Andrew Asherman said transit finances are in a relatively stable position due to increased federal infrastructure funds and CARES Act reserves, but state operating contributions have been flat or declining. FY26 requests seek the maximum state operating amount and propose using fund balance reserves to lower the county general fund contribution; staff also requested a transportation safety and training coordinator position to improve driver training and safety oversight. Transit also plans to implement new scheduling and real-time rider apps (Ecolane for paratransit and Passio for fixed route).

The golf course budget for FY26 was presented with a $1.7 million operating budget (about $261,000 higher than prior year) that includes a transfer of $100,000 from operations to capital to fund bunker rehabilitation; revenues include rounds (31,665 rounds in calendar year 2024) and revenue from the new on-site restaurant. Staff noted the golf course enterprise fund received $158,000 in general fund support in the proposed budget and that the course supports many nonprofit tournaments and high-school athletics.

Airport director Neil Doran and Public Works director Andrew Ashwin presented an airport operating budget of $4,091,450 with no general fund subsidy; the airport plans a $576,000 transfer from operations to capital to support non-grant-eligible projects and provide match for grant-funded projects. Staff said growing airline activity, parking and concessions revenue, and contracts (e.g., firefighter standby for Sierra Nevada Corporation) are increasing revenues but also require added staffing; the airport requested an additional full-time cross-utilized airline agent and three part-time firefighter positions to support expanded operations.